Pope Francis Pulls a Rabbit from his Hat

Days ago, when he was trying to lower expectations, Pope Francis said his child abuse summit would be “a pastoral meeting rather than a decision-making event” (here). Just prayer and sympathy, no legislation or concrete proposals. Apparently that speech didn’t poll too well. So today, Pope Francis opened the summit with a very different message: “Pope opens child sex abuse conference, promising 'concrete' remedies.”

Bombshell Exposé of Vatican

A French reporter, Frédéric Martel, has written a book on the Vatican’s gay culture: “IN THE CLOSET OF THE VATICAN: POWER, HOMOSEXUALITY, HYPOCRISY.” It is based on over 1,500 interviews, including on-the-record interviews with many senior Church officials. RNS was surprisingly quick to cover it: “Bombshell book alleges a Vatican gay subculture, hypocrisy.” CRUX has some useful coverage (here). NCR even provided a lengthy excerpt. The excerpts alone help explain some puzzles, including the resignation of Pope Benedict. This book promises to be the most credible account of the Vatican in the modern era.